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Original Painting by Marc Desobeau available at Highlands Station, LLC |
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HISTORY OF THE PIONEER |
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FEASIBILITY STUDY |
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ROUTE OF THE PIONEER |
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Copyright 2009 - 2010 by the Pioneer Restoration Organization |
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Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson Government Affairs Office Amtrak West 530 Water Street Oakland, CA 94607
May 14, 2009
On behalf of the Baker County Economic Development Council, I would like to express our support for the restoration of the Amtrak Pioneer rail service to Baker County. On a daily basis, rural Western communities continue to struggle with an ever changing economy. Baker County is no exception. Economic pressures resulting from the current economic downturn are especially difficult for rural communities. The loss of one job in rural Oregon has the economic impact of 125 jobs in the Portland metropolitan area, according to the regional economist for the Oregon Employment Division. In response to our regional economic challenges our economic development team has been working closely with regional partners throughout Northeast Oregon, and elected officials to try and find a solution. Through that collaboration, we have determined that the expansion of our destination tourism industry to be our best hope for a sustainable economy.
Baker County has plenty to offer foreign travelers. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center tells the story of how tens of thousands of men, women, and children walked for 2,000 miles, blazing a pathway to the Pacific, and the Hells Canyon Recreational Area (the deepest river gorge in North America) invites tourists to witness the power of Mother Nature.
Unfortunately, rural communities like Baker County lack one key component that makes national and international tourism viable - a public transportation corridor connecting rural and urban areas. Rural communities without effective public transportation options will find it difficult to implement a successful destination tourism plan. We believe a restored Pioneer line to be the conduit to the rural experience in Northeast Oregon.
On behalf of the people of Northeast Oregon, we ask that you include our request for the restoration of the Pioneer rail service in Amtrak’s feasibility study. We truly appreciate your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Eugene Stackle, Manager Baker Economic Development
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PIONEER MEDIA ARTICLES |